Born in 1931 in Tokyo, Yuzo Toyama studied composition at the National Tokyo University of Music(current National University of the Arts), and was awarded the 20th Mainichi Competition. In 1952, he was accepted by the NHK Symphony Orchestra as a percussion trainee, later in 1954 he became a conductor student, and made his conductor debut in September 1956 conducting the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he conducted many other orchestras as a guest conducter. Studied in Vienna for 1958-1960, he accompanied the NHK Symphony’s world tour in 1960, and made his name widern not only as the conductor but also as a composer with his “Rhapsody for Orchestra.” He has so far been appointed to an important post of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. And as a composer, he has written versatile music such as operas, symphonies, chamber music, lieder and choir pieces. He was awarded the Otaka Award both in 1963 and 2000, Arima Award in 1981, Suntory Award in 1983, Minister of Education Award in 1999, and Cultural Award by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) in 2010. He is currently permanent conductor of NHK Symphony Orchestra and music adviser of Osaka Symphony Orchestra.